Mum's Care Package

Recently, we've had a family member who's fallen ill with Cancer; and my Mum has been looking after him.  Her brother is finding it hard to deal with all the doctor's appointments, shopping and looking after his household chores.  So, Mum's been doing those things for him; with the assistance of Dad doing some yard work for him too. 

I put out the word on Bookcrossing to put together a Care Package for her - to show our support - and the members have pulled together like you wouldn't believe!  I thought to put here the list of people whose parcels and items that have arrived in the mail thus far.  It will be added to as each one arrives.

Badgerjim - Postcard - 25th, August

Dove-i-Libri - envelope - 31st, August

Hammu - small parcel - 5th, Sept

minesayn - envelope - 5th, Sept
stringofpearls - small parcel - 6th, Sept
Phoenix-Flight - envelope - 7th, Sept
Italianowen - medium parcel - 9th, Sept
Hakkalina - medium parcel - 12th, Sept
Footymadgil - medium parcel - 13th, Sept
Nakipa - medium parcel - 19th, Sept (opened by customs; nothing removed)
MerryMari - postcard - 20th, Sept
Ossie Fry - small parcel - 22nd, Sept
jmsmom - card/envelope - 27th, Sept
judygreeneyes - postcard - 27th, Sept
Buffheart - postcard - 30th, Sept
Jean-Sol - medium parcel - 10, Oct
 

'Anything Goes' Book Baggie Returns!

For the last few months, I haven't received anything in the mail or sent anything away.  So, seeing I've been unfocused and not receiving anything, this blog has been left alone for some time.  

This morning, after a week of no mail in my PO Box, I opened the little black door to find I had lots!  And right there on top was a blue parcel pick-up card!  Now, I knew what it was and am pleased to say that the 'Anything Goes' Book Baggie that has been away for its rounds around Australia has returned to me from Tasmania.  And just look at all those wonderful books inside it!  How good are they?

The Pencil case didn't have as much as I thought it would inside it, but that doesn't matter, it's supposed to be a fun thing to have a go at.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't; and this time it didn't.  Maybe next time it will.  

Thank you all for taking part in this book baggie.  I'll be doing another one next - as always - so keep your eyes peeled for when I put up that notice!  Until my next post... Happy Reading!

Neighbourly Kindness

This morning, on my way to the post office, I walked past one of my neighbour's houses where I saw their Grandmother, Betty, sitting out in the car port having a smoke.  As usual, I said good morning and she called out to me, "Just the person I'm looking for!  We have some books for you!" and gestured to a massive bag next to their side door.  I walked up and looked inside it to find it was filled to the brim full of books!  I was amazed at how kind she was being!

I counted 21 books as I laid them out to photograph them.

I asked if she was sure and she said that they actually came from her daughter - Lisa's - workmate who has moved house and did out her bookcase and gave these one to her.  Lisa brought them home for Betty to read, but her eyesight isn't good and she can't read the small print unfortunately.  So, she thought to give them to me.  How kind and generous this was of her to think of me when she didn't want these; and yet didn't wish to throw them out.  Thank you Betty for your generosity.

Celebrating 50 Years of Janet Frame's Work

Today, I went to the post office and found two pick-up cards.  One was from Nivea (this was something I was expecting) and the other was something I wasn't.  I picked up the book and opened it to find a beautiful new book slid out of the envelope and into my hands.  It was wrapped in a green paper bag and still had the price on it (I didn't really notice how much it was; and automatically took it off).  It was a book which had been on my Wish List on Bookcrossing since 2009; 'Owls Do Cry' by Janet Frame, a writer from New Zealand whose only work I have is her biography - 'Wrestling With the Angel' by Michael King - and what a tome of a book that is!  It's so densely written, I've found it hard to read. 

However, this book was also a part of Mission Bookcrossing - a game I'm playing on Bookcrossing -and I'm happy to say that I'm still active in the game; seeing I got the answer to my clue right!  

Thank you Izzy5000 for sending me a brilliant book to read... I can't wait to read to get into it this Winter.

Winter Reading Raffle Prize

This time, this post isn't here to thank somebody or a few people for something.  This one is to show off what is up for grabs for my Winter Reading Raffle on Bookcrossing of Aussie and NZ BCer's.  

And doesn't it look great?  The scarf is hand-knitted and long and gorgeous.  I'd keep it myself; if I didn't have so many in my wardrobe from the last few years of knitting scarves... yep, I just keep on knitting them and putting them away!  Now, I just love giving them away because I love to knit!

There's a lovely mug there with a small tin of Milo and a few good books to get into over the colder months here in the Southern Hemisphere.  Now, the books there aren't necessarily the ones that are going to be in the box when you open it... no, it's just something to make it look good.  So, when one of you lovely people open the box, the books may be totally different.  So, if you'd like to join in - and you're an Aussie or NZ Bookcrosser - post your name on the list in the RABCK forum on Bookcrossing and you'll be added into the draw!  Good luck!

My First Bookray for 2011!

Today, after hibernating inside yesterday from the frosty temps outside, we emerged to a warmer day with the sun shining boldly for us.  I was thankful!  I was hoping to get outside sometime this weekend to do some serious reading; and just when I was planning on doing it, I found a blue pick-up card for 'Tipping The Velvet' by Sarah Waters in my PO Box from a BCer in Valentine, NSW.  I've been looking forward to reading this one for some time; and now it's here, I can delve into it this Winter.  Shouldn't take long to read. 

Labels of Moi from Afar!

Today, it's been very overcast and dull - not to mention quite chilly - and so I hurried over to the post office earlier than usual to collect the mail.  I was surprised to find a few things in my PO Box that normally aren't there.  The first one was a postcard from the Cook Islands from Loey and Dad of their holiday.  They said they had a ball were driving a red convertible... very nice little car!  I love the postcard and what Mum wrote on it.  I'm sure they'll be going back over the years to have more down-time.

My next lot of mail that arrived today from across the miles was a collection of labels from Misscyn on Bookcrossing.  She's is famous for her labels.  This time, she put my self-portrait onto these labels; however it was the unfinished portrait and not the completed one.  Oh well, maybe next time.  Nonetheless, they look fabulous!  I'll most definitely use these on parcels and letters and cards very soon; along with the BCID labels she included too.  Thank you to both BCers for thinking of me and sending me these lovely things

NB:  Blogger is maintaining a few things and so I'm unable to upload a any photos currently.  I'll see if I can in the next couple of days.

Mail After So Long!

Today, I went to the post office and there was mail in my Post Office Box for me from another Bookcrosser.  I was pleasantly surprised about this as I haven't had mail in over a month!  I pulled out the blue parcel pick-up card and went inside to see what was waiting for me.  And seeing I wasn't expecting anything for the next few weeks, I didn't know who had sent me something.  This was going to be fun!

I received a small parcel post bag and opened it at the post office; curious about what was in it!  Well!  Davros-10 had had a peek at my Wish List and seen I had 'The Pendulum and the Pit' by Edgar Allan Poe on there.  And he had put in a Dr Who book titled 'The Highlanders'.  Seeing I'm a big fan of the Dr Who television series, I've been wondering what the books are like for while now.  And now I've got one, I'm happy to try it out soon.  Thank you so much for this parcel; it's so thoughtful of you to send it to me with the books I'd love to read and pass along. 

Big-Sized Reeces and a Calendar

Wow!  It's been over a month since the last time I received a parcel in the mail from somebody; and this time, it came from Canada.  I wasn't expecting anything; and usually the PO Box is overflowing with bills and junk mail.  This time, it had a blue parcel pick-up card and I was totally delighted!  So, after picking it up, I found on the customs sticker, it said chocolate... my favourite kind of deliver (well, okay, next to books!)

I gotta thank the wonderful BCer who sent this calendar and jumbo-sized Reeces to me; two of them.  After I photographed them, I put them into the fridge to chill (as we're having the hottest Autumn on record right now here in Australia!  It's still hot during the day and night!).  I look forward to putting up other parcels and goodies that show up in my PO Box in the future.

Retro Postcard

I've been so busy in the last few days, I completely forgot to post this arrival until now.  Last Friday, this postcard arrived in the mail inside a lovely envelope from Julespaige.  And I'd like to thank her very much for thinking of me when she saw it.

I didn't mean to leave this for so long; as I had to take my bird to the vet, and she didn't do so well there, coming home in worse condition than when she arrived there.  So, please accept my apologies for not posting this sooner.  And she's doing better; Little Miss Stevie's foot is healing well as she had begun to climb around the cage and is flying again too.